Intake Ventilation

Hey Everyone,
First I'd like to thank the members of this forum. I haven't run a grow in almost 5 years, and after reading these forums through and through I've decided to start up again. I haven't lost the touch and I'm committed to doing it the right way this time. But I have a question and need some input from those who are actively running grows. I built a cabinet, well gutted a cabinet and I'm modifying it. I've pretty much got everything down except INTAKE! I cannot figure out the best way to do this.
I CANNOT have any light leaks. I've seen some grows where they cut out an intake hole in the back, and create a long box that creates distance from the hole to prevent light leaking out. I did consider running it through the bottom, but all my cords run through the top of the unit which is almost 7 feet tall. So guys. Input. Where and how should i put an intake into this cabinet? I've got only a few days before I can return these power tools back to Lowe's and get my money back for them ; )

Thats an awesome link to a diy light killer!

But idk why he wouldnt just run some ducting to a fan and run into a hole in the back or side? have it make one turn and most of your light is gonna be gone.

Bump. Really? I was worried the ducting would let too much light travel through. I was going to use PVC J-Pipes, But if you're saying one turn in the ducting will kill my light. I'm just gonna do that. Anybody else use ducting bends to block light as well as air flow???

It will kill most light exiting from inside your box depending on the wattage. You can get black ducting that will help kill more of it. If not the white ducting works pretty good too but youd have to spraypaint the outside black so it wouldnt glow.

But this will kill all light coming in from outside the cab

I would think a 90 degree angle piece of pipe painted black in the inside would work . Light doesn't reflect on black. At least I don't think

They sell a foam for intakes that will let air in but not light out. Bends in the duct will block light. I have 6in non insulated mylar (shiny inside) with bends going out my window no leaks. IMO it would work best if the intake(s) were in the floor and exhaust out the top using an air cooled hood if going with hps/mh.

Thanks for all of your input. I didn't think the ducting would block as much light as it does. My intakes are on the floor, and vent output at the top. Thanks so much it saved me a lot of room on the floor of the cabinet and allows me to re-direct the air to wherever I want it! This has been such a project so far. I've spent a good 25 working hours so far getting this thing together. I'm thinking tomorrow I should be finished. But as we all know, problems arise as you go along. I'll post some more pictures here VERY SOON!

I tried to use an upside down U shape bit of ducting to use for the passive intake on my tent to try to stop light leaking but it just points it at the floor, so much light leaks through it. Its the standard silver single skin ducting, but if it were painted black inside it would reduce so much more like someone else mentioned.

consider using a dampner, some ducting with one curve, and black spraypaint on the inside of the turn

chemtrailsrbad said:

I tried to use an upside down U shape bit of ducting to use for the passive intake on my tent to try to stop light leaking but it just points it at the floor, so much light leaks through it. Its the standard silver single skin ducting, but if it were painted black inside it would reduce so much more like someone else mentioned.

Click to expand...

Well, it's Hydrofarm Ducting. It's Silver on the outside and Black on the inside. I have no ducting running out of the cabinet. It's like it was meant to be.